La Fonda de San Mateo

Overall continued great experience with La Fonda.... tried the Muchaca de huevos which was delicious. Super friendly and fast service.This place isn't a looker, but it's authentic and very, very good.

There are a few indications that will let you know if a Mexican restaurant is a good one. First impressions are key. Chip and salsa, freshly made food, and authenticity of plates.Sorry to say La Fonda bombed at all three basics for any restaurant. The salsa and chips are the first impression at any Mexican restaurant. La Fonda's tastes like Jar tomato sauce and bagged chips. I ordered a combination plate with a chicken enchilada and a chile relleno. The server brought my plate with oven mitts and told me not to touch it because it was hot. There should be no reason for my plate to be that hot unless they are using a microwave. My chile relleno was a little bit bigger than a jalapeño and the batter was like eating a wet sponge. The whole plate had absolutely no flavor what so ever. My husband order the shrimp and steak fajitas. His plate was, 10 minutes later, also served with the same hot plate mine was served with, which; is unusual for fajitas. It did not come on a sizzling iron plater and looked more like a boiled steak plate with boiled shrimp on the side. Also a very tasteless dish. When ordering fajitas one looks for that char grilled flavor. Not boiled meat in a hot plate. Overall the food did not taste like there was one fresh item on either plates. I can imagine a bunch of cans, jars, and bagged food in the kitchen with several microwaves. I do not think they made anything homemade because all the food was incredibly bland. La Fonda was mediocre at best. The service was ok, but the ambiance of the restaurant was probably the best part of our experience. Very cute, cozy, and comfortable seating. Until you see the four huge jugs of detergent cleaner left on the bar counter the whole time and there they stayed.

The service was excellent Anika was very nice . The place is very cheery and clean. The food was typical Mexican style rice beans burritos average plate 18.00 margaritas ok

Very quaint place, seems to be a local favorite. Staff was super nice and prompt.Delicious food, generous portions and reasonable prices. Will definitely go back!

I've been eating at La Fonda since the early 80's. Its fabulous!Facts: Same owner, same head chef and same "best mexican" food on the Peninsula by a long shot in my opinion (I am talking about a sit-down-nice restaurant and not some rolling mex. food vehicles/ I like those too but...). Only changes are the small expansion, fantastic full - bar, nice dual -sided fireplace & they lightened up the room with latest decor / paint theme etc.My kids were "Celia's "kids. They just had La Fonda first time and scolded me for not taking them there sooner! Hey, I am going there tonight at 5:00 PM!Adios! Allegra Events - Burlingame

This place has been around since God was a pup. I have no idea if it's changed hands nor do I have any knowledge of its ownership over the years. You can go twice in a week, skip a few years and go back, and it won't have changed. It's like watching a soap opera. You pick up where you left off and you catch right on. Hardly know you've been gone. We used to go on a regular basis, meaning it was on our rotation of tasty and reliable, and then we dropped it out. No particular reason. A few weeks back on a very hot day we decided to walk downtown (what possessed me!?) and have dinner. "They have air conditioning. It'll be great." A couple of 95° miles later we were there and the a/c was out of commission. Natch, right? So we sat outside under the fans and had two delicious margaritas in which no one skimped on the EtOH. Delicious. When we finally cooled off and had enough water to engage our brains we ordered what we remembered we liked (for me that always includes a chili relleno). The wait was about perfect to have our drinks and chips, cool down and quit perseverating about the walk to come, all up hill to Laurelwood. The service was really friendly and we looked bad, not to mention sweaty and smelly. Friendly and efficient. Prompt with water which was refilled often. To be sure that it wasn't delirium, we went again yesterday (we drove), chose different menu items (but same tequila) and it was just as nice and even friendlier, probably because we didn't stink. The menu is a mix of some American/California/Mexican mash-up common offerings and also some legit specialty items. It would be difficult not to enjoy a visit. So much so that the table next to us drove down from SF just to eat here. That's saying something given the great Mexican food in the Mission. Take 'em for a spin sometime when trawling for Mexican food. And the air conditioning is fixed now...

The food was amazing! Great portion size! The staff is all family and they are nothing but kind and attentive to our needs. I have eaten there twice now and also had a small birthday party for my son! They were amazing again!! Delicious food and a great authentic experience!! Definitely 5 !!

I would order it again! From the salad section, I ordered the beef fajita salad. Great! Nice flavors! I asked myself, beer or house margarita? House margarita over rocks! Five stars!

I finally came here after 44 years of living here on the recommendation of my therapist. We were not disappointed; I think this is a bit better than Celia's & Fernando's. I love the clean casual atmosphere with Mexican music going on in the background. The waitress is very friendly & attentive & wonderful with kids. The bean soup is excellent with hardy with fresh beans, tomatos, bits of tortilla chips, & a wonderfully spiced broth. The crab & shrimp encalatas are the best with fresh tortillas, suculent shrimp & crab meat, perfectly done rice, beans, fresh salad, & beans in a tamatillo sauce. My mother enjoyed her carnidis; I had the rest of it the next dqay; smokey, well seasoned & perfect with the rice. For dessert, the churros are a must with a little crispyness on the outside with cinimin & sugar & moist inside; perfect with the chocolate dipping sauce. Round it off with a double shot strawberry margerita & you will not be disappointed. So, for authentic Mexican food with friendly service in a casual atmosphere, La Fonda cannot be beat. Keep up the good work guys.

This family owned restaurany has fantastic food, great drinks, and even better friendly service It's our go to place for authentic Mexican food